Credit: Alejandro DeLeon
The Pork Sando With Philly Flair
The Newstand | San Antonio
Credit: Jessica Fradono Photography Page Pressley
While the proprietors of The Newstand coffee shop and café don’t lean heavily on advancing a newspaper theme, the sandwich menu is an homage to a few iconic publications, including The Philadelphia Inquirer. “The Inquirer is our expression of the Philly roasted pork sandwich,” says Page Pressley, chef/co-owner. It’s also an insider favorite. “It has middle-of-the-pack sales, but it shows super-high return-guest engagement.”
The Inquirer features cured, slow-roasted pork belly and pork shoulder that’s chopped and tucked into a toasted, Italian version of a baguette called a bastone, which is made in house with house-milled grains and adorned with sesame seeds. The meat is topped with roasted hot peppers, using seasonal varieties, and roasted broccoli rabe for a bit of crunch. Pressley doubles down on cheese, including both sharp provolone and a generous helping of Cooper’s Sharp cheese sauce.
“The combination of spice and acidity from the roasted peppers offsets the richness of the pork and cheese in a perfect way,” says Pressley. But the heart of the dish is the protein. “The roast pork provides comfort and surprise in an
‘if you know, you know,’ way.”













